Local Students Awarded for STEM Excellence

The chapter demonstrated its commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career paths to local students by honoring five exceptional middle school students, their teachers and their families in April at the chapter's spring luncheon. Col. Maria Barrett, USA, the U.S. Southern Command J-6 director and chief information officer, and chapter president, welcomed the luncheon's keynote speaker, Dr. Merilyn Johnson, a secondary STEM supervisor for Broward County Public Schools. Johnson kicked off the event with an eye-opening presentation on the need to reinvigorate STEM education programs. “I firmly believe that every child has a right to a high-quality education that will equip him or her with the knowledge, skills and abilities to achieve his or her goals and grow into productive citizens,” said Johnson. “Engagement in STEM activities provides a vehicle for reaching that destination.” Aaron Jones, chapter first vice president, then presented the students with the AFCEA South Florida 2013 STEM Excellence awards, as he shared the impressive award write-ups as submitted by the students' nominating science teachers. Recipients of the award include Ana Maria Valentin, New Renaissance Middle School; Alex Mink, Silver Trails Middle School; Landon Counts, Pioneer Middle School; Kelby Drews, Driftwood Middle School; and Elizabeth Garrison, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School, West Campus. Following the award presentation and lunch, the chapter held a raffle for Miami Heat playoff tickets donated by Verizon. All proceeds from the raffle were added to the chapter's scholarship fund.

Event Photographs:

Tim St. Jean (l), South Florida Chapter Schools/University director; Col. Maria Barrett, USA, chapter president; and Dr. Merilyn Johnson (3rd from l), a secondary STEM supervisor for Broward County Public Schools, present a 2013 STEM Excellence Award to Elizabeth Garrison (3rd from r), who is joined by her parents.